(CNN) - In one of the most anticipated speeches of the week, Hillary Clinton will urge her backers - some of which remain wary of supporting Barack Obama - to unify behind the party's presumptive nominee.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines tells CNN the onetime rival of Obama will make a compelling case the Illinois senator must be the next President of the United States.

She will also express her appreciation for those who supported her primary bid and focus on the differences between Obama and McCain, not those between herself and the Illinois senator.

soundoff(318 Responses)

tedious898

Ok...PUMA's and the like...You ask...why should Hillary help Obama win.

Hello....they were saying after NC, and Indiana there was no chance for Hillary to win the nomination. Do you remember that or are you affected by selective memory? Come on people ! Hillary went broke trying to prove to everyone she could win against impossible odds. Now we have you people to thank for that arrogance – a fractured party. Obama's supporters would have supported Hillary had she won. I'm sure of it because they are party faithful – mostly. But the other side of is (to me) just because you're the president's wife, doesn't mean you have experience. He didn't tell her everything – Monica is proof of that. Sorry about ...I just tired of seeing Hillary commercials attacking Barack...thru the primaries and now in the general. And the added benefit is you hateful people that won't support Obama

August 26, 2008 02:20 pm at 2:20 pm |

Duke

I am an Obama supporter, but the Dems are being as dumb as McLowIQ. They are letting the Repubs prepare the battlefield so to speak.

I use to think that it was only poor people that would vote against their own interests, but this PUMA bunch is proving me wrong, what crybabies. Defect already. We will get an equal number of Repubs in return once they find out what crybabies you are. No, that is wrong, Repubs are smarter than that. They will take your vote then give you nothing in return all the time telling you how much the love and identify with your plight. Ask poor people, they know the drill, its been going on for years and they still have not learned or maybe they somehow feel that it is their plight to be used.

August 26, 2008 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |

Joe Cheesehead, WI

Theresa said/asked
Why is it Ms. Clinton's job to get Obama elected??????

Hillary Clinton was a presidential hopeful, same as Edwards, Richardson, Biden etc.

So I ask you....Theresa why does everyone finger point to Obama to help Hillary retire her debt don't other Nominees have campaign debt?

August 26, 2008 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |

KATHLEEN

sky
If Gergen is saying, Hillary was treated unfairly by Obama, that
is NOT TRUE. Remember Bill's rumor about Canada that the
Clinton's spread right before the Ohio vote. Remember Penn
Columbia mess, when Bill was evidently receiving money from
Columbia for selling our jobs. Clinton's were in on that one and
sent Penn but did'nt fire him until the media FOUND OUT!!!!

Gergen, get real. Jump off the Clinton boat, fast.

August 26, 2008 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |

deroy

what is wrong with clinton?
she got more votes than OBAMA.
doesn't that count?

August 26, 2008 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |

Steve

Honestly, all of the Hillary haters need to give it a rest. I can not think of a time when any candidate who lost had to publicly emphasize his/her support for the party's nominee. She has gone above and beyond her call of duty and has nothing to prove!

August 26, 2008 02:22 pm at 2:22 pm |

Obama/Biden 08

I will like to apologize for my earlier post. The part of my post about 9/11 was not correct. Sorry. But I stand by the rest of my message.

August 26, 2008 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

bob in L.A.

Does Obama have to get on his knees and beg for your vote? Does Hillary need to commit suicide in the name of Obama for you to realize this is all just business to them?
She's backing him for her reasons. He's logically thinking her supporters will see his views are more similar to his than McCain's.
If you believe in the Democratic party philosophy, you cannot vote Republican. It's very simple!
You also don't have to hoop and hollar for the candidate.

August 26, 2008 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

IAMWMD

I agree with you 100% JJ in Chula Vista, CA but that would mean the dismantling of the Repug Party and the end to bias news reporting.

Change 08

August 26, 2008 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

Enlightened

No one cares about the PUMAs... the real Democrates are united!

Obama/Biden '08!

August 26, 2008 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Ex-Republican for Obama

I hope she makes a compelling case. Her own political career hinges on it. If she doesn't convince her supporters to grow up and educate themselves, she too will lose any and all respect she ever had from the rest of the democratic voters.

You can not alienate yourself and expect to be liked in four/eight years from now. Either man/girl up now, or write off all chances of seeing her on a presidential ticket.

She needs to take this time and use it to learn how to run an affective campaign, and financial responsibility. Obama already knows how to do those things, this is why he is the better choice until she educates herself.

August 26, 2008 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Rhoda

Maybe she can tell us where Obama stands on the issues. Tonight, at least.

August 26, 2008 02:25 pm at 2:25 pm |

Earl

Clinton has to make the speech of her life if she wants to continue on in politics. One waiver, one miss step and she will officially end her political career. If she hits it dead on, she has a chance in 2008. Our, she could opt out and join the republicans.

August 26, 2008 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |

That's Reality

Steve – You're right about one thing – we "would rather put a consernative Republican in the White House" because if Obama gets in this country is gone. McCain/Cindy

August 26, 2008 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |

Give It Up - You Lost Remember

I'm so freaking sick of the Clintons. If I hear one more time this his HILLARY'S NIGHT from CNN's talking heads I'm going to throw up.

Drama, drama. The most compelling thing she could do is fade away forever. Not an honest or sincere bone in her body.

August 26, 2008 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |

TL

You Obama supporters are so hateful and it is displayed in all of your communications regarding Hillary Clinton. How soon we forget that there were some good years in the Clinton Administration. I have tried to look at your candidate in a positive light and possibly vote for him in November. But I can't get through all of the negativity that comes along through his supporters. Your obvious dislike for Mrs. Clinton will be the downfall of your candidate not securing the Whitehouse in November. Then who will you blame then, of course, the Clintons!

August 26, 2008 02:27 pm at 2:27 pm |

NO OBAMA

I am so discusted with the democratic party I changed to independent. First Obama and the democratic powers that be said Mich and Florida should not count at all then Hillary fought for them and herself as well then when it was pretty clear that she was not going to win then the democratic party and Obama said lets let Mich and Florida have half their delegates at the convention because he does not want to loose these states in November, and now that he has won the nomination he and the powers that be in the democratic party are giving them their full votes such hipocrites, there is no way I would ever vote for Mr. popular.

August 26, 2008 02:27 pm at 2:27 pm |

Nicholas

Huge Hill supporter: As an Obama supporter, I will come forth and admit that yes, I have been just as harsh on Hilary as her supporters have been on Obama. I appreciate you keeping an open mind about your vote. Here is the bottom line for you and all of those in your situations. McCain supporters despise Hilary Clinton. The Republicans despise her, they would NEVER vote for her because of her stance on gay marriage and abortion. As an Obama supporter, I do NOT like Hilary, but if she had beaten my guy, a absolutely would have voted for her. This is the country we are talking about, not our own personal feelings. You know what is right, please make the right choice, you don't have to like the guy, you just have to see where he is coming from. Obama and Hilary agree on the same things.

Hillary for McCain folks: Do you honestly believe that Hilary will win in 2012 if Obama loses this? Have you forgotten what you are trying to do to Obama may backfire and be done right back to you!? If you honestly vote for McCain, you are bordelining obsessive for Hilary. Like a stalker who won't go away. There is no Hilary supporter (no real Hillary supporter) who would vote McCain. Because a REAL Clinton supporter votes on the issues, not just the last name. Most of you PUMA's are simply voting because of her namesake. Please get your head out of the sand.

August 26, 2008 02:27 pm at 2:27 pm |

sine

I urge people to start listening to NPR and C-SPAN – stop listening to the crap that they call news. The public is getting brainwashed and you don't even know it.

Stop whining like 4 year olds about why your canidate lost. If you want to vote for McCain – then go ahead and vote for him. But with all do respect in the mean time SHUT UP! Most of us want to concentrate on issues – like how I want my fiance to come home from Iraq safely. I can't stand selfish people who don't think about the betterment of our country or for those who go out there and fight so you're still alive and voting. But you want to make a mockery of the process because you wanted a woman to be president. Boo -freakin-whooo.

God bless us all ....we need it.

August 26, 2008 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |

Dennis Philadelphia

Anyone who supported Hilliary Clinton and will Vote for McCain never really supported her... They were just supporting the Idea of a woman president. If you support her and what she stood for, you CANNOT say you now support McCain. Face it She lost, Obama won now get behind the movement of Change.

August 26, 2008 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |

Mac

We need a democrat in there. I'm so sick and tired of Hillary this and Hillary that. She had her chance and pulled out becasue she couldn't defeat Obama. Now it's time to unite all democrats and help get that man in the white house. You so called Hillary democrats are full of it. How can you not vote for Obama if she isn't on the ticket.

August 26, 2008 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

Earl, Manchester, Wa

I don't want haer to make a case for O'bama. I want her to make a case for herself!

Hillary 2008

August 26, 2008 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

AL, West Palm Beach, FL

How many of you posting here have won something from the McCain campaign

Wait, CNN is not reporting this but I will.

MCCAIN IS PAYING PEOPLE TO POST ON SITES LIKE THIS WHILE PRETENDING TO BE DEMOCRATES OR INDEPENDANTS, OR LATINOS... ANYTHING BUT REPUBLICANS.

August 26, 2008 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

ymh in nc

Hillary is doing what she is supposed to do tonight, but she will not be responsible when Obama loses. He has treated the Cintons with disrespect,and in doing so, her supporters. We will not come around in the end. We will endure McCain for four years and will be with Hillary the next time. Obama has snubbed 18 million people that could have helped him win. He would have to get down on his knees and kiss Hillarys feet and ask for forgiveness before any of my family would vote for him. He should publicly apologize to Bill Clinton for trying to paint ham as racist.

August 26, 2008 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |

Cyrus K.

Thugs? Obamabots? Waddup Obama? Really?

Why don't you PUMAs just say it out loud that you would not vote for an American of African descent? Since you guys keep talking about how Obama's camp "slapped Hillary around", and how "nasty and vile" his supporters are, perhaps you need a moment to reflect upon your own deeds.

Sen. Clinon is a tremendous force, an institution and an inspiration. But unfortunately, she surrounded herself with people like Mark Penn, and bigots like some of you guys who think that this is an entitlement. She run a tenacious campaign, but she lost. But the truth is, her policies and Obama's policies are fundamentally democratic policies and very similar.

You may disagree with Obama's policies, but support his democratic principles. You may believe in Sen. Clinton's entitlement to the presidency and betray your own morals and vote for McCain. But what you MAY NOT do is hide your own bigotry and call Obama and his supporters "thugs" and use other racial slurs.